Grading Oakland's taco trucks, with a rubric

My students think I'm joking when I say I have a rubric for taco trucks. I am not joking. Four categories, five points each: tortilla, meat, salsa bar, and what I call "vibe" — is there a line of people who clearly just got off work?

Tacos Mi Rancho by Lake Merritt scores a 19. The al pastor comes off the trompo right in front of you, the tortillas are doubled, and the line at six is half nurses, half construction crews. It only drops a point on the salsa bar, which is fine but not life-changing.

The trucks on International Boulevard in Fruitvale are where it gets serious. There's one doing suadero that I would describe, scientifically, as a 20. I'm not telling you which. Do your own research.

Next semester it's an extra-credit project. Parents, I apologize in advance.